Saturday's opener against St Mirren, rasped past Mark Howard from 25 yards, was the striker's first competitive goal for close on two years. His inconsistency in a Hearts shirt is no more frustrating for supporters than it is for himself.

Loan periods at Livingston and Queen of the South in 2007 failed to ignite Mole's undoubted potential and he returned to Riccarton starved of confidence.

However, the early weeks of the new season indicate a steady maturity in his game, doubtless helped by manager Csaba Laszlo's conviction in starting the player in each of the three opening SPL fixtures.

Laszlo's reward was a breathtaking thunderbolt to break the stalemate against St Mirren, Mole's first goal since the 4-0 demolition of Dundee United on October 1, 2006.

"Is it? I couldn't tell you. It was that long ago I can't remember," he said. He could be forgiven for attempting to block out the drought completely. After failing to make an impression in Scotland's First Division there are those who will question whether the 20-year-old is a viable option to lead the Hearts attack, but they are likely not to have seen him play this season.

Mole's form has gone from unremarkable to improving and, finally, productive in tandem with Laszlo's uplifting effect on the entire club. His commodities are gradually becoming clear to any detractors. Whilst improvement is hastily sought after by both player and manager, there is no need to justify his place in the side.

Laszlo is quickly becoming notorious for motivational techniques but, speaking exclusively to the Evening News, Mole explained that his weekend inspiration came from alternate sources.

"People had been saying to me just before the game, 'we need shots, we need shots'. Christophe (Berra] and a few others were saying that but I feel I answered them with the goal. They weren't saying much afterwards." Nor could they after he nestled the ball in Howard's top corner from Michael Stewart's threaded pass. The relief on his face was clear as he turned to take team-mates' acclaim.

"It was a good goal. A striker's instinct is always to turn and shoot and that's what I did," he continued. "When people have said to me about lack of shots I've always blamed the creativity. Obviously you need that but if you don't shoot you don't score, so I just had to turn and shoot. I think the keeper made it look good, though.

"I should have scored with the first chance I had after about ten minutes. I got it past the keeper but it wasn't to be. I've said you need chances and that came direct from me so hopefully I can keep it going now."

It could be argued that Mole's challenge is only just beginning as Mike Tullberg, the Danish striker, pictured right, and Frenchman Christian Nade approach full fitness. Holding on to a starting slot is likely to seriously test his resolve in forthcoming weeks.

Laszlo has deployed Mole as a lone striker thus far with an attacking midfield player offering support but the Hungarian may opt to re-organise his side into a conventional 4-4-2 formation when attacking options improve.

"I don't mind anything as long as the team's playing well and I get chances. It doesn't really matter where I play or how the team lines up, to be honest," said Mole. "Apart from Livingston this is my longest run of games at first-team level. I just have to try and impress in every game."

So what has brought about the recent improvement? "I'm just doing the same things I did every day in training. There are little bits and bobs to attune to what the manager wants but other than that I just try to play my game. I run into the channels a lot, that's just what I do.

"I look on every game as my last game, so hopefully I do enough to play in the next game. After Saturday I hope to be involved tomorrow (against Airdrie United in the Co-operative Insurance Cup] and then again against Hamilton at the weekend.

"We made it a little hard for ourselves against St Mirren, certainly when we missed the second penalty and they ran up the park and got a free-kick. That was a bit worrying but I thought we played well and kept the ball well.

"I thought it was going to be like the Motherwell game when they equalised but we quickly got ourselves back in front and that was important. We missed the penalty after that and then they had the header that went wide from the free-kick, but it was a good win. We never looked like losing."

Six points from nine is indeed an encouraging start for Laszlo. After tomorrow night's cup engagement with Airdrie come league trips to Hamilton, Falkirk and Dundee United, broken only by Inverness' visit to Tynecastle on September 20.

If those fixtures may be seen as potentially hazardous, they will be countered by Hearts' new-found belief. "I think that's down to the players and, obviously, the new manager. He's come in and given us that bit more life," said Mole. "I think everyone is happy with the way he wants to play and I'd say it's working at the minute.

"He's given me more life on a personal level. He just wants to pass the ball and play football, that suits me down to the ground. Our play definitely has a purpose now."

Mole couldn't recall his last competitive goal before the weekend but Saturday's cracker is likely to live long in the memory.

Especially if it allows him to commence a much-needed scoring run.